[color=silver][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yQbFaoi.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/0XfNfCH.gif[/img]
[color=black][b]Location[/b][/color] — Command Center — Control Room
[color=black][b]Interactions[/b][/color] — Everyone in the room
[sub]Anything between (JP) and (NJP) is to be assumed it's spoken in Japanese[/sub][/center][hr]

Amidst the aftermath of the chaos, curiosity burned in Ross' mind, and after Sloane walked up, possibly interrupting the Purple Ranger as he so intentionally referred to Ross by the wrong name [I]again[/i], anger towards McCabe was steadily rising like water in a tea kettle. It wasn't a difficult thing to grasp. His name is Ross, not Ryan. He's not fucking Deadpool! It didn't matter how attractive Ryan Reynolds was or how iconic his movies are. He wasn't Gosling either.

Actually, now that Ross was thinking about it, a lot of famous Ryans were insanely attractive. He might not be outwardly bisexual, but Ross could acknowledge one man's level of hotness. And boy were they smoking, like a platter of spicy tuna made human.

[color=black][I]Right. Don't get sidetracked. We're mad at Sloane right now! Fōkasu, Hiroshi! Fōkasu![/i][/color]

[color=black]"I don't know how many times I have to tell you: my name is Ross, not Ryan!"[/color] He'd clarify for whatever the number of times was right now.

[color=f49ac2]"Jesus, Ross. Are you okay?"[/color]

A few seconds later, Ross heard Val ask if he was alright and he nodded. [color=black]"Yeah. Guess I hit the ground a few too many times."[/color] Though he laughed it off, Ross could imagine how that might make him sound. Like hey, here's a dude that just hits the ground for fun!

Moments after, as the other rangers chimed in, Ross was dealt a rather jarring dose of reality. Despite them being [I]rangers[/i], it became apparent that they weren't the holy figures that he remembered them to be, or that they shouldn't be held on a pedestal like certain Amazons he knew probably did. Granted, Ross wasn't a superfan. He admired them for what they represented and no doubt influenced him to become the best version of himself he could be, but as the blue and green Rangers bickered, Ross figured there was a lot more under the surface than what they allowed the public to show. That, at least, he could understand. There was certainly a lot more to Ross than just his charitable nature and obviously good looks.

At some point, Ross found himself a bit distracted by the blue and green Rangers going at it (mainly the blue just saying so many words at him) that he didn't have a chance to prepare himself for the Purple Ranger speaking in an elevated tone. He could have sworn he left his body for the slightest second as his heart nearly stopped.

And then she informed everyone of the plan: either hitch a ride with the cowboy or find your own way to...the command center? Right because of course, the Power Rangers have a command center.

Considering that this wasn't a matter of making sure people knew where he was going. Those who were still lingering about would be safe, what with the cops not far behind, so what was really keeping him around? Nothing, that's what. 

[color=black]"Alright Mr. Green, I'm hitching with you if that's okay!"[/color] Ross didn't always do this, but he bowed before following him and took a seat in the back of his truck. Being brought up by honor, particularly by his O bāchan, Ross always found ways to show respect whenever he could. 

Bowing to the Green Ranger was just a way of doing that, though he couldn't help but wonder about this Command Center and just what the hell he and the others were in store for.

[color=black]"Guess there's only one way to find out,"[/color] he muttered under a breath.
[hr]

As they arrived, Ross was on his phone. The quiet sounds of the truck stopping in front of some large building served as background noise as Ross talked on his phone.

(JP)[color=black]”I’m safe, mom. Don’t worry. I know it’s scary, but you don’t have to worry.”[/color] Ross expelled a frustrated voice as he climbed out of the truck.

“Hiroshi. Where are you? Are you okay?” His mother said, her voice full of concern.

Ross smiled, looking around. The others hadn’t noticed him on the phone, though he knew he couldn’t tell his mother where he was [i]exactly[/i], but he also felt terrible that he had to lie to her. But he also knew that this wasn’t something he could let [i]anybody[/i] know. [color=black]“Mama, it’s okay. Listen, I’m safe. I’ll be home soon, okay? Tell Papa that I’m safe. I’ll bring home some food in a little bit, okay?”[/color] 

“Hiroshi, I’m just worried. The news is saying--”

Ross cut her off. [color=black]“The media embellishes, Mama. You know this. Just let everyone know I’m okay and when everything settles down, I’ll call you, okay?”[/color]

“Okay, Hiroshi! But make it as soon as possible!”

Ross laughed and smiled, [color=black]“yes, Mama! But I have to go. Talk to you later! Love you, Mama!”[/color]

“Love you too, my Hiro!”

(NJP)

Again, Ross [i]hated[/i] lying to his mother. Honestly, he hated the whole concept of lying. It never sat right with him. 

Part of the reason people at the center trusted him and relied on him so much was that he could always be depended on to tell the truth to anyone that wanted it. He wasn’t cruel or brutal about it. He was honest and that was something a lot at the center valued. Ross could tell them his opinion about whatever they ask him about and know that there was never any intent to demean or criticize. Plus, it didn’t hurt that they thought he was right.

But it wasn’t like Ross couldn’t tell the difference between a lie that was hurtful and one that was for their own safety.

And whether he liked it or not, lying about being at some abandoned building was, in his eyes, a necessary white lie.

Of all places, being at the old GENESIS HQ was the last place Ross ever expected to be a command center.

[color=black]“Hiding in plain sight and all that, I guess.”[/color] He scratched the back of his head as he followed the others inside.

As they were led inside, Ross had a few thoughts going in, but all of them took a backseat to his curiosity as his head rotated several times over, taking in the sights.

In all the time he’s lived in Angel Grove, knowing that he knew the city like the back of his hand or his love for wasabi, Ross had never been inside this building. Of course, he wasn’t the kind of kid — back then, at least — who ever needed a reason to be inside. He wasn’t from a well-off family like Sloane or had any technical prowess like some of his cousins did. Hell, he didn’t come from a family with connections.

So he wanted to take in the sights of the building and everything in between. No telling how many chances he might be earned, given the state of everything right now.

As The Purple Ranger commented about how she was assuming they were underwhelmed about the state of the ‘Command Center’, that wouldn’t be his way of putting it. But now that she mentioned it, he couldn’t help but note that it was a little run down. Though, with a working elevator, it must be just fine.

At least, that’s what Ross thought.

When they were lowered to the basement that The Purple Ranger hinted at, his first thought was how decked out everything was. He wasn’t a computer person. His cousin Kenji was. If Kenji were here, he might get on the purple rangers nerves. But Ross? He was still stuck on the whole aesthetic of what he was looking at. Monitors, the central platform, all of those lights and buttons — it was all a little much.

[color=black]“This is...impressive,”[/color] he managed to say before The Purple Ranger started to speak.

And that’s when they found out the names. [color=black]“Charlie? Okay, I’ll be sure to remember that!”[/color] He nodded, giving her, Clint, and Jordan all each a quick bow with his palms pressed together, arms bent, and fingers a few inches under his chin. 

While he did that, he heard Vallory attempt to speak, specifically about her being the Pink Ranger and the size of the uniform.

[color=black]“I’m a bit curious about this Morphing Grid thing,”[/color] he admitted, scratching the back of his head. [color=black]“I mean, what exactly is it? And also, while I’m at it, what made it choose us? I’ll admit, I know I do a lot of good work at the center and I do try and help out whenever I can, but does that really qualify me to be a [i]Ranger[/i]”[/color] Ross looked at Vallory for a quick moment before returning back to Charlie. [color=black]“Vallory I understand because she’s not only physically impressive, but she’s pretty amazing as a person, too. But, uh..”[/color] Ross’ eyes darted to Sloane, narrowing them in a glare. [color=black]“Referring to the crystals as a [I]participation crystal[/i] can’t make someone worthy, can it?”[/color]
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